Nectarine tree named ‘Pearlicious XVI’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree,  Prunus persica , broadly characterized by a small size, moderately vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety has large blossoms and blooms in the mid season, requiring about 550 chilling hours. The leaves are large and have globose glands. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in mid August, with first picking on Aug. 10, 2013. The fruit is large in size, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm and melting in texture, white in flesh color, mostly red in skin color, and very sweet in flavor, and the kernel has a bitter taste.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘Pearlicious XVI’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a smaller number ofopen pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capturerecessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinctvariety of nectarine tree, which has been denominated varietally as‘Pearlicious XVI’.

In the flowering season of 2003 I hybridized a first generation crossusing ‘Regal Pearl’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,695) white flesh clingstonenectarine as the selected seed parent and an unnamed yellow flesh peachas the selected pollen parent. The fruit of this cross was gathered inthe summer of 2003, and the seeds were removed from the fruit,germinated, stratified, and grown as seedlings on their own root in mygreenhouse. Upon reaching dormancy the following winter, the seedlingswere transplanted as a group to a cultivated area of my experimentalorchard located near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County (San JoaquinValley). During the fruit evaluation season of 2007 I selected thepresent variety as a single tree from the group of seedlings describedabove. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of nectarinetree, I asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in theexperimental orchard described above, and such reproduction of plant andfruit characteristics were true to the original plant in all respects.The reproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’(unpatented) rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible andtrue to type.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘Regal Pearl’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 11,695) nectarine by having a having globose leaf glands,by having a large blossom, being self-fertile, and producing white fleshclingstone nectarines that are firm, that are mostly red in skin color,that have a bitter kernel, and mature in mid August, but isdistinguished therefrom by having globose instead of reniform leafglands and by producing fruit that is much larger in size and issomewhat sweeter.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Snow Pearl’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.18,696) nectarine by having globose leaf glands, by having a largeblossom that blooms in the mid season, by requiring about 550 chillinghours, by being self-fertile, and by producing white flesh clingstonenectarines that are firm and mostly red in skin color, but isdistinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is larger in size, thatmatures about seven days earlier, that is sweeter, and that has a bitterkernel instead of sweet.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present nectarine variety is characterized by a smallsize, moderately vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regularbearing tree. The variety has large blossoms and blooms in the midseason, requiring about 550 chilling hours. The leaves are large andhave globose glands. The fruit matures under the ecological conditionsdescribed in mid August, with first picking on Aug. 10, 2013. The fruitis large in size, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm and meltingin texture, white in flesh color, mostly red in skin color, and verysweet in flavor, and it has a bitter kernel.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one dividedfruit to reveal the flesh and stone, three insets to reveal buds andblossoms, and characteristic leaves.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of full ripe on Aug. 20, 2013, on the original tree during itstenth growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were made theprevious blooming season. All major color code designations are byreference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau ofStandards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

It is to be noted that the 2013 fruit season in California was very warmduring the spring and the ripening times of almost all varieties wereabout ten days earlier than other years.

PARENTAGE

-   Seed parent: ‘Regal Pearl’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,695).-   Pollen parent: Unnamed yellow flesh peach (unpatented).

TREE

-   Size: Small, reaching and maintaining a height of 7′ [2.13 m.] and a    spread of 6′ [1.83 m.] after ten growing seasons utilizing typical    dormant pruning.-   Vigor: Moderately vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and    fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus    top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown    on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Spreading and dense.-   Form: Vase type.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Approximate chilling requirement: 550 hours.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    requires regular irrigation.-   Production: Productive, thinning necessary.-   Fertility: Self-fertile.-   Bearing: Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet observed.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 3″ [76.2 mm.]            after the tenth growing season.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy.        -   Bark color.—A Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] and Light grayish            brown [60. l.gy.Br] variegation.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 8 to 10.            Color: Strong brown [55. s.Br]. Average Size: ⅛″ [3.2 mm.].            Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Diameter of main scaffold is 2″ [50.8 mm.] measured            12″ above the crotch, Diameter of limb is 1¼″ [31.8 mm.]            measured 12″ above the first fork.        -   Texture.—Smooth on first year wood, increasing roughness            with age.        -   Color.—Second Year Wood: A Moderate yellowish brown [77.            m.yBr] and Grayish yellowish brown [80. gy.yBr] variegation.        -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: About 50 on second year            wood. Color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr]. Size: 1/64″            [0.4 mm.] to 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] on second year wood. Shape:            Eye-shaped, elongated.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average Length: 6½″ [165.1 mm.]. Average Width:            1¾″ [44.5 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].            Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Vein color.—Light yellow green [119. l.YG].        -   Petiole.—Average Length: 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Average            Thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Brilliant yellow green            [116. brill.YG].        -   Stipules.—Number: Usually 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing            tip. Average Length: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Color: Light yellow green            [119. l.YG] becoming Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] with            maturity.        -   Glands.—Number: 2 to 4 per leaf. Position: Mostly alternate            with a few opposite, positioned on petiole and base of            blade. Size: Medium. Form: Globose. Color: Brilliant yellow            green [116. brill.YG] becoming Dark grayish brown [62.            d.gy.Br] in the center with age.        -   Leaf buds.—Pointed, medium in size.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California            winters.        -   Diameter.—Typically 5/16″ [7.9 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically ⅝″ [15.9 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Form.—Not appressed.        -   Surface.—Pubescent.        -   Tip color.—Moderate purplish pink [250. m.pPk].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    about thirty stamens, five sepal and petal locations alternately    positioned.    -   -   Type.—Showy, large.        -   Average flower diameter.—2″ [50.8 mm.].        -   Number of petals.—Usually five, extra petal fragments            commonly occur, double blossoms rarely observed.        -   Petal shape.—Circular to oval.        -   Petal margin.—Entire, somewhat wavy, occasional notches.        -   Average petal diameter.—⅞″ [22.2 mm.].        -   Average petal length.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal base.—Rounded to somewhat truncate.        -   Petal color.—Moderate pink [5. m.Pk] toward the apex, Strong            purplish pink [247. s.pPk] toward the base on both sides.        -   Anther color.—Moderate red [15. m.R] over a Pale yellow [89.            p.Y] center at bloom onset.        -   Stigma color.—Pale greenish yellow [104. p.gY].        -   Average pistil length.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Average stamen length.— 11/16″ [17.5 mm.].        -   Sepal color.—Dark purplish red [259. d.pR] on the outer            surface.        -   Sepal length.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].        -   Sepal width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the sepal length            and width.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Blooming period.—Medium, 2 days after ‘Spring Bright’ (U.S.            Plant Pat. No. 7,507) nectarine.        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Mar. 6, 2013.        -   Date of full bloom.—Mar. 14, 2012.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.        -   Number per cluster.—1 to 3 with single flowers most common.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Full ripe, Aug. 20, 2013.-   Date of first picking: Aug. 10, 2013.-   Date of last picking: Aug. 20, 2013.-   Size: Somewhat variable, large.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—3⅛″ [79.4 mm.].        -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—2⅞″ [73 mm.].        -   Average diameter across suture plane.—3″ [76.2 mm.].        -   Typical weight.—9.8 ounces [278 grams].-   Form: Uniform, globose.    -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Round to oval.        -   Transverse section through diameter.—Round.-   Suture: Extends from the base, continues along the side, to just    past the pistil point.    -   -   Near the base.—A sharp groove.        -   Along the side.—A shallow trough.        -   Near the apex.—A sharp groove.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, lipped toward the apex on both sides.-   Lips: Slightly unequal.-   Cavity: Flaring, elongated in the suture plane, suture showing on    one side, Yellowish white [92. yWhite] stem markings typical.    -   -   Depth.—1¼″ [31.8 mm.].        -   Breadth.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].-   Base: Truncate.-   Apex: Rounded.-   Pistil point: Oblique, mostly depressed within the suture.-   Stem: Medium.    -   -   Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Average width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Nonastringent.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed in a dry season.        -   Color.—Very deep red [14. v.deep R] over a Dark pink [6.            d.Pk] background with some Pale yellow [89. p.Y] areas where            protected from the son. Moderate Pale orange yellow [73.            p.OY] freckling toward the apex.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—Pinkish white [9. pkWhite] with Deep red [13. deep R]            streaking next to the stone.        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Very dark red [17.            v.d.R] broken fibers when twisted from the stone.        -   Amygdalin.—Scarce.        -   Juice.—Abundant, rich.        -   Texture.—Firm, crisp, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Abundant, fine.        -   Ripens.—Slightly earlier at the apex.        -   Flavor.—A sweet subacid, typically 20 to 22 brix.        -   Aroma.—Very slight.        -   Eating quality.—Excellent.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Narrow.-   Base: Rounded.-   Apex: Acute.-   Sides: Equal.-   Surface: Irregularly furrowed near the apex, pitted toward the base.-   Ridges: Jagged.-   External color: Deep reddish brown [41. deep rBr].-   Pit wall color when cracked: Moderate brown [58. m.Br].-   Cavity surface color: Brownish orange [54. brO].-   Average pit wall thickness.— 5/16″ [7.9 mm.].-   Average width.—1¼″ [31.8 mm.].-   Average length.—1¾″ [44.5 mm.].-   Average breadth.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].-   Tendency to split: None observed.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr] when first            removed.        -   Pellicle color.—Dark grayish yellowish brown [81. d.gy.yBr].        -   Vein color.—Dark grayish yellowish brown [81. d.gy.yBr].        -   Taste.—Bitter.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average width.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Average length.—⅛″ [3.2 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Abundant.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good. Fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

OTHER NOTES

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Snow Pearl’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 14,695) nectarine by having globose leaf glands, byhaving a large blossom that blooms in the mid season, by requiring about550 chilling hours, by being self-fertile, and by producing white fleshclingstone nectarines that are firm and mostly red in skin color, but isdistinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is larger in size, thatmatures about seven days earlier, that is sweeter, and that has a bitterkernel instead of sweet.